Every summer for as long as I can remember I’ve dreamed of laying on the beaches of Oahu and Waikiki. Since a Hawaiian vacay isn’t exactly in my budget I have to get creative to bring Hawaii to me. It may not be the big island but there aren’t any resort fees, long flights, volcanoes, or checkout times. I can stay as long as I want and if I close my eyes it’s like I’m really there.
So, how do you bring Hawaii to your backyard? Easy! Follow these steps and you’ll be saying Aloha to your troubles, and ALOHA to a great time.
Step 1: Open a Tiki Bar - I have always dreamt of having a tiki bar in the backyard. Serving up fruity drinks to friends from beneath a bamboo thatch roof. I thought I would have to spend a ton of money to make the dream come true, but with this DIY Tiki Bar project, it’s affordable and possible.
Once you have your tiki bar you’ll want to stock it with lots of tropical fruits and juices like pineapple, mango, papaya, and coconut. Every day juices like orange and cranberry are nice to have on hand too. Many tropical cocktails use the same liquors, so you’ll want to pick up vodka, rum (spiced, coconut, and clear - 151 if you’re feeling especially feisty), Curacao, and other island-inspired liqueurs.
Stock up on ice, pick up some drink umbrellas, and you’re on your way to the perfect backyard luau.
Step 2: Decorate
A big part of the wonder that is Hawaii is the bright colors, floral motifs, and the abundance of tiki decor. You can find a lot of this at the Dollar Store and the rest you can DIY!
Just head over to Pinterest for some creative inspiration.
Step 3: Set the Mood - Create a tropical atmosphere with island inspired music. You can find lots of playlists on Spotify. You’ll also want to get the scent of Hawaii lingering in the air, but what does Hawaii smell like? In my mind, Hawaii smells like pina coladas and the ocean.
The perfect way to recreate that is to use body sprays from Hawaii. Mix and match to get the ideal scent going, and be sure to spritz your guests as they arrive so you’ll have all kinds of magical Hawaiian smells wafting around.
Step 4: Dress the Part - I’m not talking about floral shirts and cameras. I’m talking about grass skirts and coconut bras! At least that’s what my Hawaii looks like!
You can find affordable hula skirts on Amazon, and it’s super easy to make your own Coconut bra. You can still go with the floral shirts and khakis, if that’s more your speed.
Step 5: Fire it up - A bonfire is a perfect backdrop for a Hawaiian vacay in your backyard. The’re beautiful to look at and by tossing in some lemon balm you’ll be able to keep mosquitos and other pests away.
Be sure to check the laws in your neighborhood for open fires and always practice safety when dealing with bonfires. Don’t start a fire beneath trees or around any standing structures.
Step 6: Invite Your Friends to Get Leid - Step off of a plane in Hawaii and you’re likely to get leid, or have a flower necklace draped around you. It’s an iconic tradition that you can incorporate into your backyard Hawaiian vacation.
Grab some cheap leis from Amazon and adorn your guests as they arrive.
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